Everton FC remain optimistic they can push through a loan deal for Monaco striker Lacina Traore despite the French club being rocked by injury to star forward Radamel Falcao.

Everything is in place for the 6ft 8in tall 23-year-old to complete his move to Goodison, but now the Toffees must wait while Monaco assess their attacking options in the wake of the season-ending knee injury suffered by £50m man Falcao.

The 27-year-old was stretchered off in the French Cup win over Monts Or Azergues on Wednesday night with a tear to his anterior cruciate ligament.

It means the ex-Porto man will now undergo surgery and will miss the rest of Monaco's title challenge.

Fears were raised that the untimely development could scupper Everton’s hopes of adding Traore to their squad this month, with the French side’s lack of alternatives a concern.

But Roberto Martinez is still quietly confident he can likely conclude his January recruitment by finalising the transfer in the next 24 hours.

He said: “We’ll have to see what happens. We’ve got the work permit granted and we’re all quite excited at the prospect of welcoming Lacina to Everton.

“Obviously it was shocking news around European football when a player of Falcao’s quality gets a long term injury, but I hope any decision on any other players isn’t based on an injury to another team-mate. We’ll have to wait. We’re really far down the line now and it would be a real disappointment not to be able to complete it.”

Meanwhile, the Blues are not in talks to add another Wigan Athletic midfielder to their squad, despite rumours on Merseyside.

Speculation began that Scotland international James McArthur was about to sign after he was spotted at Finch Farm yesterday. But the ECHO understands the 26-year-old was only at the Blues training ground to discuss his UEFA coaching course with former mentor Martinez.

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